It’s Independence Day & Link Up On the Edge #152
Happy 4th of July from Asheville! I am sitting here in my hotel room this morning with not much planned for today. The traveling kind of wiped me out and then I stayed up way to late on my first night in Asheville. But I had the most wonderful time! As wonderful times often do, it caught up with me last night and I hit the bed early, slept 10 hours, reset myself, and now I am just doing some laundry and figured I would check in on the blogging world while I wait for the dryer to finish doing its thing.
I also wanted to share this pretty Feeling the Blues Shawl with you before the Country Outfitter Americana Campaign and Sweepstakes comes to end in just a few days. If you haven’t entered yet, you have until July 7 to do so. All you need is an email address to enter for a chance to win $500 to spend at Country Outfitter. Just click here and follow the prompts. It takes about 30 seconds to complete!
The blue shawl was the perfect topper paired with a white dress and my new red cowgirl boots to create a festive and patriotic outfit for Independence Day. However, I did not bring any of these pieces with me to Asheville! I am planning on heading downtown tonight to watch the fireworks, but I have in no way planned what I am going to wear.
Speaking of what to wear while on vacation…I am a compulsive over-packer. As a person who gets dressed every day based on my mood when I walk into my closet, packing for vacation is absolutely one of the most stressful things for me. It took me hours to pack a gigantic suitcase plus 3 separate bags! I packed and unpacked and repacked and changed my mind no less than a dozen times and I guarantee I will only wear about 20% of the things I carried with me on this trip. Thank goodness I drove instead of flying so I didn’t have to worry about carry ons and checked bags.
Now a little about my trip so far…I left Northern New York on Sunday and spent the night with my boys at my mother-in-law’s house. Monday morning, I left the boys with Gramma for the week (they will be spoiled rotten by the time I get back to them on Sunday night) and I headed down to the Lehigh Valley to visit with a few different friends. One was a complete surprise and that was fun to sneak up on him and see the look on his face when he turned around!
I woke up at 4:00 a.m. on Tuesday to get on the road to Asheville. It was just over 9 hours of driving time and I completed the entire 610 miles in just about 10 hours with bathroom stops. I met up with one of my Asheville friends for dinner once I got settled in my hotel and then we took a beautiful drive up through the mountains. Later we stopped at a brewery and then headed to see some live music. I had such a great time being immersed in the Asheville experience….better than I even expected!
However, once it rolled around to 2:00 a.m. and I had been wide awake and going for nearly 24 hours, suddenly I wasn’t feeling all that great. This old gal can’t hang like that anymore without severe consequences! I spent most of the morning hours yesterday feeling like I had been hit by train. But I managed a meet up for lunch with Jennie and Jess and we had the most wonderful time! I was a lazy blogger and didn’t take any photos, so I am waiting for Jennie and Jess to send me theirs so I can share a post about it all next week. Due to a miscommunication in telephone numbers, we missed Becky at our lunch meet up, but I am hoping to meet up with her sometime during the week. I will keep you posted on more of my adventures. But for now, let’s get on with a link party to celebrate Independence Day!
But first, your featured favorites from last week.
Carrie of A Stylish Fit shared her post, Pretty in Pink. Referencing one of my favorite movies of all time and one of my favorite songs ever, this post just gave me all the smiles! Not only the fact that Carrie looks very pretty in pink, but some wonderful life revelations are shared as well. Do give it a read!
Nina of Sharing a Journey shared her post, How to Update Your Look and Save a Bundle on Makeup. This post shares some great saving tips for makeup purchases, but Nina also talks about embracing the midlife years and feeling and looking great while doing it! Another worthwhile read, for sure.
Well, I guess that’s all I have for you now. I should probably start getting myself ready for the day. I didn’t drive a total of 850 miles to hang out in a hotel room! Until next week, I’ll be keeping it on the edge!
Shelbee
Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.
45 Comments
Lauren Renee Sparks
Those boots, though! laurenskparks.net
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Lauren! They are my favorites!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jill
It sounds like you’re having a great trip! So fun that you got to meet up with Jess and Jennie! Can’t wait to see the pictures! Enjoy your 4th!
Jill – Doused in Pink
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jill! Happy 4th to you as well!
xoxo
Shelbee
Kathrine Eldridge
This is the perfect July 4th look! Saw you meet up on Insta. So fun! Enjoy your stay and thanks for link up!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Kathrine! I will share more about our meet up this week! I hope you had a wonderful holiday.
xoxo
Shelbee
Deborah Stinedurf
Love, love, love those boots! I feel ya on the packing. Our little Key West vacay is rapidly approaching and I absolutely dread the thought of packing. Seriously, how am I supposed to get dressed based on such a limited selection…lol!
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Debbie! I didn’t even wear 90% of what I brought! It is so ridiculous. And due to some mistake in booking, I ended up in a smoking room and I have to wash everything I brought with me because it all smells so, so bad! And I have no idea how you would even begin to pack for Key West! But have fun!
xoxo
Shelbee
Anne M Bray
Hahahaha. “It’s Friday…” Hahahaha.
I’m very much enjoying my day off. It’s like I get two Fridays this week!
My paternal grandmother lived in Asheville and I vaguely remember visiting her one Christmas (I was perhaps 3?). What do I remember? Mexican Jumping Beans!!!!!!
Have a great time!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Oh my word, Anne, you are too funny! Asheville is such a cool place…you should try to go back now and find those Mexican Jumping Beans…plus all the other really cool stuff there!
xoxo
Shelbee
Laurie
Have a fabulous 4th of July Shelbee xx
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Laurie! It was a wonderful holiday vacation, for sure!
xoxo
Shelbee
Carrie
I have loved your posts lately and the bold action of putting yourself out in a two-piece swimsuit. I’m inspired. Thank you for the shout out. I’m grateful. Happy 4th!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Carrie! My word, the swim suit photos are intimidating! I hope you had a wonderful holiday, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Tamar Strauss-Benjamin
What a cute patriotic outfit! Enjoy your trip!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Tamar! I am heading home today and back to reality!
xoxo
Shelbee
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Nancy
How exciting to meet with Jess and Jennie! Fantastic! What a trip to take on your own, is Jeff joining you for a few days or is he still away?
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Nancy! It was super exciting! And Jeff stayed home alone for 8 days and loved the solitude! He never gets to do that.
xoxo
Shelbee
Emma Peach
Cute outfit! I love the cowboy boots! 610 miles is a crazy long drive – I complain about driving to my mum’s which is only 130 miles away! Looking forward to hearing more about your meet up with Jess and Jennie 🙂
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Emma! It was nearly 900 miles total from New York to North Carolina but I broke it up over 2 days of driving. The drive back yesterday was 12 hours because there was so much traffic. I am so tired!
xoxo
Shelbee
Shugunna Alexander
Your trip sounds really wonderful, keep having fun and stay safe!!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Shugunna! I had a blast!
xoxo
Shelbee
W7
It sounds like you are traveling happily! Also, I like your proud smile.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you much!
xoxo
Shelbee
Boutique
It sounds like you are traveling happily! And, I like your proud smile.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much!
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
I hope that you had a wonderful Fourth of July. Looking pretty country there. Thanks for hosting and I have a good weekend of your vacation.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Patrick! I hope you had a wonderful holiday as well!
xoxo
Shelbee
Julie | This Main Line Life
That blue shawl is beautiful. Great 4th of July outfit.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Julie! I hope you had a fantastic holiday!
xoxo
Shelbee
Cheryl Shops
Happy 4th of July! Hope you’re having a great trip—say hi to Jess and Jennie for me! 😉
Cheryl Shops | http://www.cherylshops.net
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Cheryl! I hope you had a wonderful holiday as well!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jessica A Jannenga
Love the embroidery and the boots. Thanks for the mention and I had a fab time! I hope you got to nap and feel better after we met. Asheville is such a beautiful mountain town with so much to do!
Love the blue kimono, a great color on you too!
I give you credit posting while on vacation 🙂
Have fun!
jess xx
www/elegantlydressedandstylish.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jess! It was the only post I did during vacation! After I left you and Jennie, I went back to the hotel and never left again. Ha. I was so tired but I didn’t fall asleep until like 10:00 p.m. But at least I got a decent night’s sleep and was good for the rest of my time there. The drive to Pennsylvania yesterday was horrible though! So much traffic. It was so great to meet you in real life and I look forward to visiting Asheville again!
xoxo
Shelbee
Mireille
Sounds like a great week! You !am need a vacation from your vacation when you get home though. Glad you listened to your body and when o bed earlier!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Mireille! I kind of do feel like I need a few days to recover from my vacation now!
xoxo
Shelbee
Laura
My kids keep me from being an over-packer! Ha! We have to bring so much baby stuff still that we don’t have room for me to over pack and it keeps me from bringing home lots of extras, too! But when we are diaper-free and don’t need a high chair and stroller…watch out! Haha! Momma will definitely be bringing more than 3 pairs of shoes!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Oh my gosh, Laura, that is so funny! I literally wore only about 10% of what I brought with me! Next time I visit Asheville though, I know how to pack now!
xoxo
Shelbee
Edwige Amaizo
You look so fabulous and fierce! I love your boots!
Edwige | http://www.hypnozglam.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Edwige!
xoxo
Shelbee
Mica
What a fun red white and blue outfit! i love the boots, so perfect for the theme! 🙂
Hope that your week is off to a good start 🙂
http://awayfromtheblue.blogspot.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Mica! Just trying to get back in the groove after vacation…and that seems to be challenging me! Have a great day!
xoxo
Shelbee
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